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Home » BLOG » When Should You Create an Advance Directive?

When Should You Create an Advance Directive?

October 13, 2010 by Stephen A. Mendel, Estate Planning Attorney

So much of estate planning involves preparing for the unexpected. This is certainly the case when it comes to putting your incapacity plan in place. An essential part of your incapacity plan is having an Advance Directive. This is a document, such as a Living Will, that lets you communicate ahead of time your preferences for the type of care you want to receive – and don’t want to receive – if you’re gravely ill or seriously injured and can’t communicate your own wishes. Advance Directives also include the Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney. This document lets you appoint an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to make these decisions for yourself.

The timing of putting these documents in place can be crucial. Often, it’s easy to put off the task of incapacity planning because we don’t think anything bad will happen to us. It can also be tough to think about what kind of medical interventions and end-of-life care you might want; the subject is admittedly uncomfortable and unpleasant.

But, people young and old find themselves in situations every day where an Advance Directive is necessary. And without it, their family members are subjected to the emotional pain, financial burden, and loss of privacy that comes with going to court to have a guardian appointed to make the necessary medical decisions.

When should you create an Advance Directive? The sooner the better. An effective Advance Directive can only be made while you’re mentally capable of understanding what you’re doing and expressing your wishes for your future medical treatment. None of us knows what tomorrow has in store. So, early planning is key.

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Stephen A. Mendel, Estate Planning Attorney
Stephen A. Mendel, Estate Planning Attorney
Mr. Stephen Mendel is an attorney who focuses a substantial part of his practice on estate planning. Mr. Mendel’s guiding principle is to provide his clients with quality legal services tailored to each client’s specific needs and goals.
Stephen A. Mendel, Estate Planning Attorney
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Filed Under: Incapacity Planning Tagged With: advance directive, durable healthcare power of attorney, living will

Other Articles You May Find Useful

  • Advanced Directives – Do You Need One?
  • How Do I Know When My Parent Needs A Guardian?
  • Incapacity Planning – 5 Important Reasons Why You Need an Incapacity Plan
  • Alternatives for Property Management upon Incapacity
  • Should I Have a Durable Power of Attorney in Houston Texas?
  • What Is Incapacity?

About Stephen A. Mendel, Estate Planning Attorney

Mr. Stephen Mendel is an attorney who focuses a substantial part of his practice on estate planning. Mr. Mendel’s guiding principle is to provide his clients with quality legal services tailored to each client’s specific needs and goals.

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